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Board of Assessors Meeting Page <br /> Hearin on Appeal for Blind Exemption <br /> Map 10 6 , Parcel 8 - Owner William Irwin continued <br /> when signing the application. Registration as a voter in Mashpee <br /> does not qualify the applicant for the exemption. David Bailey <br /> stated that there is no doubt an application must be filed every <br /> year that is the law <br /> Mr* Irwin again stated he was informed by the state House <br /> that annual application filings are the decision of local town <br /> governments . Mr. Bailey disagreed; he stated that employees at <br /> the State House are very much mistaken on this issue.' '. <br /> Kenneth Porter asked if a medical examination is required <br /> annually for the blind exemption. Mr. Irwin informed that it is <br /> not. Mr. Porter expressed surprise; he stated that he knows of a <br /> person who was legally blind, filed application for exemption, <br /> and is now out working . . . driving a car, hammering nails <br /> taking close measurements , and the like . . because his vision <br /> had improved. Lengthy discussion followed. <br /> David Bailey informed that Mashpee is required by the <br /> Department of revenue to keep an audit trail of exemptions <br /> because It is audited annually. The annual certificate of <br /> blindness is one of the D.O.R. ' s requirements. When Mashpee <br /> expends the funds for exemptions, the blind in particular, the <br /> State reimburses the Town for that money. When audited, If the <br /> Town has not followed the State ' s guidelines, It will not receive <br /> the reimbursement, <br /> . <br /> David Badley stated that he will look further into this <br /> business of why a certificate is required annually when someone <br /> is physically incapable of regaining eyesight as opposed t <br /> someone who may have been in an accident and could recuperate <br /> after a period of years. other than that, Mr , Bailey pouted out <br /> that Mashpee does not have many choices. More discussion <br /> followed. <br /> Mr. Irwin pointed out that the Division of The Blind has no <br /> way of knowing if a person has regained eyesight. Mr. Bailey <br /> stated that his curiosity has been aroused he now wonders <br /> what the whole purpose of this division is anyway! ! <br /> Chairman De ory asked Mr. Ir In what requirements the Town <br /> of Needham has for the ]Mind exemption, as Mr. Irwin used to lure <br /> there, Mr. Irwin informed that Needham does require <br /> certificate annually, but Somerville and Natick do not. vice <br /> Chairman Greig asked Mr. Irwin if all these towns require an <br /> annual application filing . Mr. i ars i n stated that some coo not. <br />